Jyotika Demands Pradhan Resign Over NEET Protests

Tamil actor Jyotika has publicly called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, joining the growing wave of public figures backing student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.

In an Instagram post, Jyotika wrote directly: "Step down Dharmendra Pradhan. Resign. I stand with the students and the future of our nation! I stand with accountability. I stand for a democratic India! I stand for a reformed education!" The statement is among the most direct demands made by a prominent film personality since the protests began more than a month ago.

She also named three youth figures by name, writing: "As mothers we want to raise our children to be like you. Proud of you, Gen Z, for being unfiltered. You have proved that together 'WE' are India." The three she praised were Sonam Wangchuk, Abhijeet Dipke, and Saurav Das, all associated with the protest movement. She signed off with "Thank you for making us fearless, CJP," referring to the Cockroach Janta Party, one of the student organisations leading the agitation.

What the protests are demanding

The ongoing demonstrations are being led by the Cockroach Janta Party along with several other student groups. Their core demands are an official inquiry into the alleged NEET paper leak, systemic reforms in the education sector, and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister. NEET is the national entrance exam for medical college admissions in India, and allegations that question papers were leaked before the exam sparked outrage among lakhs of students who had prepared for years to compete for limited medical seats.

The leak allegations, if proven, would mean that some candidates had an unfair advantage in an exam that determines access to government and private medical colleges across the country. For students who did not have access to the leaked paper, the result could mean a lost year and another gruelling preparation cycle.

Film fraternity adds its voice

Jyotika's post follows a related gesture from actor Suriya's fan club, which announced that Suriya had asked fans not to celebrate his birthday in light of the protests. According to the fan club's statement, Suriya wanted attention to remain on the students' concerns rather than on birthday events. The back-to-back statements from two of Tamil cinema's most prominent figures signal that the protests have gained visibility well beyond student circles.

Actor Salman Khan had also previously shared a message in connection with the NEET protests, though the specifics of his statement differed from Jyotika's direct political demand.

Celebrity interventions in student protests are not unusual in India, but a named demand for a sitting minister's resignation from a prominent actor carries a different weight than general expressions of solidarity. It gives the protest movement broader media reach and keeps public pressure on the government to respond visibly.

What to watch next: whether the government responds to the accountability demands, whether a formal inquiry mechanism is announced, and whether more public figures add their voices as the protests continue past the one-month mark.